Politics

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson makes history as first Black woman in US Supreme Court

Ishita SrivastavaApril 8, 2022 | 15:02 IST

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as she became the first Black woman judge to be a part of US Supreme Court's nine-member bench. On April 7, the Senate confirmed her position, making her the 116th justice to serve the US Supreme Court. 

The voting was 53 (Favour) and 47 (Against) her appointment. 50 Democrats were joined by 3 Republicans in favour of Justice Jackson's appointment, leading to a bipartisan support in her selection. Republican senators Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine are the ones who defied their party's opposition and joined in with the Democrats vote for her.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y said before the vote, "This is a great moment for Judge Jackson, but it is a greater moment for America as we rise to a more perfect union."

After Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement, US President Joe Biden nominated Judge Jackson as his replacement on the bench. The vote was presided by US Vice President, Kamala Harris. 

In the Supreme Court history, only five women before Justice Jackson have been a part of the Supreme Court bench - Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett. 

Ketanji Brown Jackson. Photo: Getty Images

WHO IS KETANJI BROWN JACKSON: Born in Washington DCJudge Jackson grew up in Florida, US. She attended Harvard University and then the Harvard Law School. Currently, she lives with her husband and their two daughters in Washington DC. 

In the past, Judge Jackson had been nominated by ex-President Barack Obama to be a district court judge for the US District Court for the district of Columbia in 2012, and was selected with a bipartisan support in 2013. 

Obama had also nominated Justice Jackson to serve as the Vice Chair of the US Sentencing Commission in 2009, and once again, she was selected with bipartisan support in 2010. 

Becoming the first black woman on the Supreme Court bench isn't the only 'first' Justice Jackson has achieved. She will also be the first former federal public defender to be on the Supreme Court bench.

Ketanji Brown Jackson. Photo: Getty Images

BENCH BALANCE: With Justice Jackson's selection, the disbalance created between Democrat and Republican judges on the SC bench during ex- US President Donald Trump's term will now remain the same, rather than becoming more disbalanced.  

When Trump introduced three of his nominees, the Supreme Court's nine-member bench constituted 6 conservative judges and 3 liberal judges. It will remain the same with Justice Jackson's selection.  

Justice Jackson’s confirmation fulfills President Biden's promise of nominating a Black woman for the Supreme Court bench. With Justice Jackson in the court, for the first time, white men will not be a majority of Justices. 

Ketanji Brown Jackson. Photo: Getty Images

CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulatory messages have been pouring in all over on the internet as soon as Justice Jackson's selection was announced in the senate. President Biden posted a video of him standing woth Justice Jackson and watching VP Harris announce the result. 

Check out the video here:

He also tweeted a picture with her and captioned it, "Judge Jackson’s confirmation was a historic moment for our nation. We’ve taken another step toward making our highest court reflect the diversity of America. She will be an incredible Justice, and I was honored to share this moment with her."

Vice President Harris also tweeted a picture of herself and Justice Jackson. "Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson made history today. Judge Jackson is a hero to so many Americans across our country. She will be the first Black woman on the highest court in the land", said Harris. 

Ex-President Obama also tweeted his congratulations for Justice Jackson. The former President wrote, "Congratulations to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for her appointment to the Supreme Court. This is a great day for America, and a proud moment in our history."

Ex-First Lady, Michelle Obama also posted a congratulatory message. She wrote, "I was so moved to see Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed this afternoon. Like so many of you, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride—a sense of joy—to know that this deserving, accomplished Black woman will be a part of the highest court in the land."

2016 Presidental candidate and ex-First Lady, Hillary Clinton also tweeted, "Congratulations to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman and first public defender on the Supreme Court. Without the commitment of voters and organizers to take back the Senate and White House, this historic moment might not have happened. Well done. Onward."

Congratulations, Justice Jackson!

Last updated: April 08, 2022 | 15:02
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